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United States Patent |
5,752,870
|
Karasawa
,   et al.
|
May 19, 1998
|
Line-drawing toy
Abstract
The invention disclosed is directed to a line-drawing toy including a base,
a wheel rotatably joined to the base that rotates under friction with a
contact surface, a leading support joined to the base and spaced apart
from the wheel, a pen part operatively joined to the base between the
leading support and the wheel, the pen part including at least one pen tip
for drawing a line on a contact surface, and a gear mechanism operatively
joined to the pen part and the wheel, the gear mechanism having means for
converting the rotary motion of the wheel into a predetermined pattern of
movement for the pen tips.
Inventors:
|
Karasawa; Hideyasu (Nagareyama, JP);
Asami; Asayoshi (Kawasaki, JP);
Watanabe; Tadayuki (Tokyo, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Hasbro, Inc. (Pawtucket, RI)
|
Appl. No.:
|
622524 |
Filed:
|
March 25, 1996 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
446/146; 33/18.1; 33/27.1; 401/195 |
Intern'l Class: |
A63H 013/15 |
Field of Search: |
33/18.1,19.3,27.09,30.7,26,27.01
434/85
401/195,131,258,259
446/146
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3368319 | Feb., 1968 | Barlow et al. | 33/18.
|
3390460 | Jul., 1968 | Brown et al. | 33/18.
|
3510949 | May., 1970 | Christy.
| |
3613302 | Oct., 1971 | Stohrer | 446/146.
|
3648373 | Mar., 1972 | Morrison et al. | 33/18.
|
3778905 | Dec., 1973 | Jebb et al. | 33/18.
|
4485555 | Dec., 1984 | May et al. | 33/18.
|
4548584 | Oct., 1985 | Townsend.
| |
4568307 | Feb., 1986 | Gabler et al.
| |
4768987 | Sep., 1988 | Usui et al.
| |
Foreign Patent Documents |
1394248 | Feb., 1965 | FR | 401/195.
|
52-131142 | Oct., 1977 | JP.
| |
52-171396 | Dec., 1977 | JP.
| |
53-63943 | May., 1978 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Hafer; Robert A.
Assistant Examiner: Muir; D. Neal
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Marshall, O'Toole, Gerstein, Murray & Borun
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A line-drawing toy comprising:
a base;
a wheel rotatably joined to the base that rotates under friction with a
contact surface;
a leading support joined to the base and spaced apart from the wheel, the
leading support for supporting the base above a contact surface;
a pen part operatively joined to the base between the leading support and
the wheel, the pen part including at least one pen tip for drawing a line
on a contact surface; and
a gear mechanism operatively joined to the pen part and the wheel, the gear
mechanism having an intermeshing gear assembly for converting the rotary
motion of the wheel into a predetermined pattern of the pen tip.
2. The line-drawing toy of claim 1, in which the leading support includes
freely rotatable spheres for contacting a contact surface.
3. The line-drawing toy of claim 1, further comprising means for converting
the rotary motion of the wheel in one direction into a reciprocal rotary
motion in the pen part.
4. The line-drawing toy of claim 1, in which the gear mechanism includes a
clutch mechanism.
5. A line-drawing toy comprising:
a base;
a wheel rotatably joined to the base that rotates under friction with a
contact surface;
a leading support joined to the base and spaced apart from the wheel, the
leading support for supporting the base above a contact surface;
a pen part operatively joined to the base between the leading support and
the wheel, the pen part including at least one pen tip for drawing a line
on a contact surface; and
a gear mechanism operatively joined to the pen part and the wheel, the gear
mechanism comprising:
a crown gear disposed on the wheel;
a gear;
means for meshing the crown gear and the gear; and
a shaft joined to the gear for rotation therewith, and having means for
rotating the pen part.
6. A line-drawing toy comprising:
a base;
a wheel rotatably joined to the base that rotates under friction with a
contact surface;
a leading support joined to the base and spaced apart from the wheel, the
leading support for supporting the base above a contact surface;
a pen part operatively joined to the base between the leading support and
the wheel, the pen part including at least one pen tip for drawing a line
on a contact surface; and
a gear mechanism operatively joined to the pen part and the wheel, the gear
mechanism having means for converting the rotary motion of the wheel into
a reciprocal rotary motion in the pen part, said means comprising:
a gear for rotating in one direction;
a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end
eccentrically joined to the gear; and
a sector gear joined to the second end of the lever arm.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A line-drawing toy with a vibrating pen tool attached to the tip of a
hollow-case-like grip has been known in the past (Japanese Utility Model
to Showa 52-131142, Japanese Utility Model to Showa 53-63943).
This line-drawing toy contains a motor for vibration of the pen tool.
Because of the constant vibration of the pen tool, this line-drawing toy
can only draw lines of continuous small loops and cannot continuously draw
special pattern lines. Moreover, because a motor is required for vibration
of the pen tool, this line-drawing toy is expensive and heavy.
The purpose of this invention is to offer a line-drawing toy that can
automatically and continuously draw lines of a special pattern without the
use of a drive means such as a motor or a battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a line-drawing toy whereby lines of a
set pattern can be automatically and continuously drawn when the toy is
moved on a drawing surface to rotate wheels of the line-drawing toy that
drive a gear mechanism. Therefore, a drive means such as a battery or a
motor is not necessary and there can be no problems with a faulty motor or
a dead battery. Further, the toy can be lightweight and can be operated
easily and safely.
The present invention provides for a line-drawing toy including: a base; a
wheel rotatably joined to the base that rotates under friction with a
contact surface; a leading support joined to the base and spaced apart
from the wheel, the leading support for supporting the base above a
contact surface; a pen part operatively joined to the base between the
leading support and the wheel, the pen part including at least one pen tip
for drawing a line on a contact surface; and a gear mechanism operatively
joined to the pen part and the wheel, the gear mechanism having means for
converting the rotary motion of the wheel into a predetermined pattern of
movement for the pen tip.
A preferred embodiment of the line-drawing toy includes the leading support
having a freely rotatable sphere at its bottom whereby the toy is movable
in optional directions.
Another embodiment of the line-drawing toy includes a gear mechanism
including a crown gear disposed on a wheel; a gear; means for meshing the
crown gear and the gear; and a shaft joined to the gear for rotation
therewith, and having means for rotating the pen part.
The gear mechanism may include means to convert the rotary motion of the
wheel in one direction into a reciprocal rotary motion whereby lines with
complex tracks can be drawn.
The gear provided to the shaft of the pen part may include a clutch
mechanism whereby damage of the gear mechanism under abnormal force
imposed on the rotation of the wheels or movement of the pen tip can be
avoided by relieving such force.
When the line-drawing toy is placed on a drawing surface, leading supports
and the end of the pen tip contact the surface. When the toy is moved by
hand, the wheels rotate under friction with the contacting surface. This
rotation is transmitted to the pen tip by a gear mechanism and the tracks
of the pen tip are drawn as lines on the drawing surface.
Various line drawings can be drawn by changing the locations of the pen
tips and the composition of the gear mechanism. For example, a large
number of different patterns can be drawn by changing the composition of
the gear mechanism, the number of gear teeth, the gear ratio between
gears, and the number and layout of pen tips. Other interesting patterns
can be drawn when the players themselves move the toy in various
directions and criss-cross and trace the continuous lines drawn by the pen
tips.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of one embodiment
of this invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of the line-drawing toy in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the gear mechanism of the line-drawing toy in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the gear mechanism of the
line-drawing toy in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section of the clutch mechanism of the toy in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the gear and pen holder of the toy in FIG.
1.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section of the pen holder of the toy in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the gear and pen holder of the toy in FIG.
1.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the gear and pen holder of the toy in FIG.
1.
FIG. 10 is an example of a line drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
3 holding one pen.
FIG. 11 is an example of lines drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
3 holding two pens.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the gear mechanism of another embodiment of this
invention.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the gear mechanism in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is an example of a line drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
12 holding one pen.
FIG. 16 is an example of lines drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
12 holding two pens.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the gear mechanism of the embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 12 depicting the pen part in a 90.degree. offset from that
illustrated in FIG. 13.
FIG. 18 is an example of a line drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
17 holding one pen.
FIG. 19 is an example of lines drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
17 holding two pens.
FIG. 20 is a top view of the gear mechanism of another embodiment of this
invention.
FIG. 21 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is an example of a line drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
20.
FIG. 23 is an example of lines drawn by the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As illustrated in FIG. 1, line-drawing toy 10 includes cover 12 which is
shaped for easy hand manipulation and, preferably, is formed of a
transparent material so that the inside gear mechanism is visible from the
outside. Under cover 12 is a base 25. Left-hand/right-hand wheels 11L and
11R, two leading supports 13L and 13R located in front of the wheels 11L
and 11R, and pen part 17, located between leading supports 13L and 13R and
wheels 11L and 11R, all extend downward from the bottom of base 25. Two
pen tips 15A and 15B protrude downward from pen part 17. The bottom ends
of wheels 11L, 11R, leading supports 13L, 13R, and pen tips 15A, 15B lie
substantially in one plane which is preferably defined by a drawing
surface.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, base 25 is positioned beneath cover 12, and
includes a front top part, a rear bottom part and a curved surface 34 that
covers the tops of wheels 11L and 11R and protrudes upward from the top of
the bottom part of base 25. Bearings 27 are formed at both ends of curved
surface 34.
Base 25 also includes two leading supports 13L and 13R which support the
top part. Leading supports 13L and 13R together with wheels 11L and 11R
support base 25 above a drawing surface. Leading supports 13L and 13R
include braces 14L and 14R, spheres 33 and tubular frames 35. Braces 14L
and 14R extend downwardly from near the front of the top part of base 25.
Tubular frames 35 rotatably attach spheres 33 to the bottom ends of braces
14L and 14R. Spheres 33 act as casters so that a player may move the
line-drawing toy 10 in various directions by holding cover 12.
Pen parts 17 are located between leading supports 13L and 13R and wheels
11L and 11R toward the rear of the top part of base 25. As shown in FIG.
2, pen part 17 includes pen 61 with pen tips 15 A (B), pen holder 57, top
cover 59 of pen holder 57, and hold-down member 65 that presses pen tip 15
A downward in conjunction with spring 63.
Pen 61 is preferably a ball-point type ink pen, but may be any other type
suitable for use by children. Pen 61 is constructed so that pen core 70
with pen tip 15A at its bottom end is covered by cylinder 72 and bottom
stopper 73. Cylinder 72 includes a protrusion 71 at its bottom. As shown
in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, protrusion 71 of cylinder 72 contacts the bottom
inside face of pen holder 57 when in use to prevent spring 63 from urging
pen 61 out of pen holder 57. To insert pen 61 into pen holder 57, cylinder
72 is inserted into pen holder 57 until protrusion 71 pushes apart the
resilient partially bifurcated sidewalls of pen holder 57. The side walls
are spread until protrusion 71 clears the inside bottom face of pen holder
57. The side walls then snap back to their normal state to retain pen 61
in holder 57. Side walls of pen holder 57 are positioned closely to
protrusion 71 to prevent rotation of pen 61 and spring 63 urges hold-down
member 65 downward to keep pen tip 15A in contact with a drawing surface.
Pen part 17 is joined to base 25 by shaft rod 51 that is fitted through
hole 58 at the center of round top cover 59 of pen part 17.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of gear 45 and pen holder 57 attached to
shaft rod 51. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section of pen holder 57 to which
pen 61 is fitted, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspectives of gear 45 and the
pen holder with base 25 omitted. FIG. 2 illustrates pen holder 57 that is
capable of holding two pens. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment with
only one pen 61 fitted into pen holder 57. In FIGS. 8 and 9, pen 61 is not
fitted into pen holder 57.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the outer peripheries of wheels 11L and 11R are
formed with elastic bodies 19L and 19R that may be smooth, but may be
serrated for good traction on a drawing surface. The wheels 11L and 11R
are fitted onto axle 21. The ends of axle 21 extend beyond wheels 11L and
11R, and are fitted into the left-hand/right-hand bearings 27 located on
base 25. Axle 21 is rotatably joined to base 25 by contact piece 29, which
is fastened with screws 31. Alternatively, the contact piece can be a flat
bar having one end that fits into a recess in base 25 and is secured with
a screw at the other end.
A gear mechanism that converts the rotation of wheels 11L and 11R into a
predetermined pattern of pen tips 15A and 15B is disposed on base 25 and
covered by cover 12. Crown gear 23 is disposed on the inside face of wheel
11L.
Gear 39 (32 teeth) is fitted to shaft 40 that penetrates hole 28 formed in
curved surface 34 of base 25. Pinion 37 (10 teeth) is fitted to the bottom
end of shaft 40. Gear 39 rotates in unison with pinion 37. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, crown gear 23 (28 teeth) of wheel 11L and pinion 37 are
meshed together to rotate in unison.
Referring back to FIG. 2, a shaft of large-diameter gear 43 (32 teeth) and
small-diameter gear 41 (14 teeth), which are formed as one unit, is
rotatably positioned into a bearing (not illustrated) formed on the bottom
face of cover 12 and bearing 42 formed on the top face of base 25.
Small-diameter gear 41 meshes with gear 39. When small-diameter gear 41
rotates, large-diameter V gear 43 rotates in unison.
A hole 55 is formed in the top step of base 25 and is penetrated by shaft
rod 51. A gear 45 (18 teeth) having a clutch mechanism is fitted to shaft
rod 51 in the upper part of base 25. The large-diameter gear 43 meshes
with gear 45. Pen part 17 is attached to shaft rod 51 in the lower part of
base 25.
FIG. 5 illustrates the clutch mechanism. Clutch member 47 is fitted to
shaft rod 51. Clutch member 47 has small-diameter cylindrical part 48 at
its top and large-diameter circular plate 52 at its bottom. Two
protrusions 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, are formed on a
diametrical line on the top face of the larger-diameter circular plate 52.
Protrusions 50 are in a half-cylindrical shape and are formed in the
diametrical direction. Gear 45 has a hole in its center into which
cylindrical part 48 of clutch member 47 fits. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6
and 7, the bottom of gear 45 widens into round plate 46 with two cutouts
49 on the diametrical line. Gear 45 is rotatably fitted over cylindrical
part 48 of clutch member 47 and cutouts 49 are engageable to two
protrusions 50 of clutch member 47.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, gear 45 and clutch member 47 rotate as a unit
when the two protrusions 50 engage with cutouts 49 in round plate 46.
Shaft rod 51 rotates together with clutch member 47.
FIG. 5 illustrates that circular stopper plate 53 is fitted to shaft rod 51
and in contact with the top end of cylindrical part 48 of clutch member
47. Cylindrical part 48 is slightly higher than the top of gear 45.
Therefore, gear 45 can move slightly upward. As illustrated in FIG. 7,
when an abnormal force is imposed on gear 45 or clutch member 47, cutouts
49 of gear 45 override the curved surfaces of protrusions 50 of clutch
member 47 and gear 45 rises up into contact with stopper plate 53 as shown
in FIGS. 7 and 9. Therefore, engagement between gear 45 and clutch member
47 is released and gear 45 is no longer linked to shaft rod 51, to which
clutch member 47 is fitted.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, top cover 59 of pen part 17 is fastened by screws
67 onto pen holder 57. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, when the
clutch mechanism is not operating and gear 45 rotates shaft rod 51, pen
part 17 rotates together with shaft rod 51. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9,
when the clutch mechanism is in operation and gear 45 does not rotate
shaft rod 51, rotation of pen part 17 is stopped. This prevents damage to
the gear mechanism and pens when the toy is abused.
To operate the line-drawing toy 10, the toy 10 is placed on a flat drawing
surface. A hand is placed on cover 12 and toy 10 is moved in an optional
direction. Spheres 33, at the bottom ends of leading supports 13L and 13R,
rotate and toy 10 moves smoothly in the optional direction. Since the
outer peripheries of wheels 11L and 11R are formed by elastic bodies 19L
and 19R, wheels 11L and 11R rotate under friction with the drawing
surface. Rotation of wheel 11L rotates crown gear 23 that is meshing with
pinion 37 to transmit rotation to gear 39. Rotation of gear 39 is
transmitted to gear 43 via gear 41. Rotation of gear 43 is transmitted to
gear 45. Rotation of gear 45 rotates shaft rod 51 via clutch member 47 and
rotates pen part 17 fixed at the bottom end of shaft rod 51. When one pen
61 is attached to pen part 17 and only pen tip 15A is present, the line
shown in FIG. 10 is drawn. When two pens 61 are attached to pen part 17
and pen tips 15A and 15B are present, the lines shown in FIG. 11 are
drawn. When abnormal force is imposed on the wheel rotation or motion of
the pen tip, the clutch mechanism operates to avoid damage to the gear
mechanism and, at such time, rotation of gear 45 is no longer transmitted
to pen part 17 and the line drawn is a straight line.
Line-drawing toy 80, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, has the same
appearance as line-drawing toy 10. Its wheels 81, pen part 82 and leading
supports 84 are composed in the same manner as toy 10. The base and cover
are also shaped similarly, but the position and shape of the bearings are
changed as needed.
The gear mechanism of the line-drawing toy 80 is similar to line-drawing
toy 10. As illustrated in FIG. 13, crown gear 83 (28 teeth) is disposed on
the inside of wheel 81. Crown gear 83 meshes with pinion 85 (10 teeth).
Gear 89 (24 teeth) is disposed on the top of shaft 87 that extends to the
top part of pinion 85 where it rotates with pinion 85. Rotation of wheel
81 is transmitted to gear 89 (24 teeth) via pinion 85 (10 teeth) that is
meshing with crown gear 83.
In line-drawing toy 80, the rotary shaft of round plate 91 and gear 93 (12
teeth), formed as a unit, is rotatably fitted into the bearing formed in
the top face of the base. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, gear 93
meshes with gear 89. When gear 93 rotates, round plate 91 also rotates as
a unit. Shaft 95 protrudes from the top face of round plate 91,
eccentrically to the rotary shaft. Long connecting member 97 has shaft
holes at both of its ends. A hole at one end of long connecting member 97
is rotatably fitted to shaft 95. The hole at the other end of long
connecting member 97 is fitted to a shaft 101 protruding from one end of
the top face of sector gear 99 (56 teeth in total circumference).
When round plate 91 rotates, shaft 95 draws a 360.degree. circular track
together with one end of long connecting member 97. However, sector gear
99, connected to the other end of long connecting member 97, rotates in a
clockwise angle, then rotates in the counterclockwise direction back to
its original position in a reciprocating motion.
The rotary shaft of large-diameter gear 103 (26 teeth) and small-diameter
gear 105 (16 teeth), formed as a unit, is fitted into the bearings formed
on the top face of the base and the bottom face of the cover.
Small-diameter gear 105 meshes with the sector gear 99. When sector gear
99 rotates clockwise, small-diameter gear 105 rotates counterclockwise,
and when sector gear 99 rotates counterclockwise, small-diameter gear 105
rotates clockwise. When gear 105 rotates, gear 103 rotates in unison.
Large-diameter gear 103 meshes with gear 107 (18 teeth) having a clutch
mechanism.
Gear 107 with clutch mechanism has the same composition as gear 45 of
line-drawing toy 10, and it is attached to rod shaft 108. Pen part 82 of
the same composition as pen part 17 of line-drawing toy 10 is provided in
the lower part of shaft rod 108.
To operate line-drawing toy 80, it is placed on a drawing surface. A hand
is placed on the cover and toy 80 is moved in an optional direction. Wheel
81 with crown gear 83 rotates under friction with the surface. Rotation of
wheel 81 is transmitted to gear 89 via pinion 85 that meshes with crown
gear 83. Rotation of gear 89 is transmitted to round plate 91 via gear 93.
Rotation of round plate 91 rotates sector gear 99 reciprocatingly about
36.degree. via long connecting member 97, the reciprocating rotation of
sector gear 99 reciprocatingly rotates small gear 105 and large gear 103
about 125.degree., and reciprocatingly rotates gear 107 that meshes with
large gear 103 about 180.degree..
Rotation of gear 107 is transmitted to shaft rod 108 via clutch mechanism
onto pen part 82 fitted to the shaft rod and pen part 82 reciprocatingly
rotates 180.degree.. When one pen 61 is attached to pen part 82 with only
pen tip 15A present, the line shown in FIG. 15 is drawn. When two pens 61
are attached to pen part 82 with pen tips 15A and 15B present, the lines
shown in FIG. 16 are drawn.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the gear mechanism in which pen part 82 of
line-drawing toy 80 is attached to shaft rod 108 in a90.degree. offset
from the above practical example. With this composition, when one pen 61
is attached to pen part 82 with only pen tip 15A present, the line shown
in FIG. 18 is drawn. When two pens 61 are attached to pen part 82 with pen
tips 15A and 15B present, the lines in FIG. 19 are drawn.
FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate another embodiment of the line-drawing toy 110.
Line-drawing toy 110 includes a gear mechanism having gears with a
different number of teeth. Line-drawing toy 110 has the same appearance as
line-drawing toy 80. Its wheels 111, pen part 112, and leading supports
114 are similarly composed. Its base and cover can have the same shapes as
line-drawing toy 80.
In the gear mechanism, crown gear 113 (28 teeth) is disposed on the inside
of wheel 111. Crown gear 113 meshes with pinion 115 (10 teeth). Gear 119
(18 teeth) is disposed on the top of shaft 117, which extends to the upper
part of pinion 115. Gear 119 rotates together with pinion 115 similar to
line-drawing toy 80.
In line-drawing toy 110, the rotary shaft of round plate 121 and gear 123
(18 teeth), formed as a unit, is rotatably fitted into the bearing formed
on the top face of the base. Gear 123 meshes with gear 119.
When gear 123 rotates, round plate 121 also rotates as a unit. Shaft 125
protrudes from the top face of round plate 121, eccentrically to the
rotary shaft. A hole at one end of long connecting member 127, having
shaft holes at both of its ends, is rotatably fitted to shaft 125. The
hole at the other end of long connecting member 127 is fitted to shaft
131, which protrudes from one end of the top face of sector gear 129 (54
teeth in total circumference).
When round plate 121 rotates, shaft draws a 360.degree. circular track
together with one end of long connecting member 127. However, sector gear
129 connected to the other end of long connecting member 127 rotates at a
certain angle clockwise, then rotates counterclockwise back to the
original position, in reciprocation.
The rotary shaft of large-diameter gear 133 (36 teeth) and small-diameter
gear 135 (10 teeth), formed as a unit, is rotatably fitted into bearings
formed on the top face of the base and the bottom face of the cover. Small
gear 135 meshes with the sector gear 129. When sector gear 129 rotates
clockwise, small gear 135 rotates counterclockwise. When sector gear 129
rotates counterclockwise, small gear 135 rotates clockwise. When small
gear 135 rotates, large gear 133 rotates as a unit. Large gear 133 meshes
with gear 137 (18 teeth) having a clutch mechanism.
Gear 137 with clutch mechanism has the same composition as gear 45 of
line-drawing toy 10. Gear 137 is attached to shaft rod 138. Pen part 112,
which has the same composition as pen part 17 of line-drawing toy 10, is
provided in the lower part of shaft rod 138.
To operate line-drawing toy 110, toy 110 is placed on a drawing surface. A
hand is placed on the cover for movement of toy 110 in an optional
direction. Wheel 111 including crown gear 113, rotates under friction with
the surface. Rotation of wheel 111 is transmitted to gear 119 via pinion
115, which meshes with crown gear 113. Rotation of gear 119 is transmitted
to round plate 121 via gear 123.
Rotation of round plate 121 rotates sector gear 129 reciprocally about
33.3.degree. via long connecting member 127. Reciprocating rotation of
sector gear 129 rotates small gear 135 and large gear 133 reciprocally
about 180.degree., and it rotates gear 137 meshing with large gear 133,
reciprocally, about 360.degree..
Rotation of gear 137 is transmitted to shaft rod 138 via the clutch
mechanism, then to pen part 112 fitted to the shaft rod, which rotates pen
part 112 reciprocally 360.degree.. When one pen 61 is attached to pen part
112 and only pen tip 15A is present, the line shown in FIG. 22 is drawn.
When two pens 61 are attached to pen part 112 and pen tips 15A and 15B are
present, the lines shown in FIG. 23 are drawn.
As explained above, entirely different line tracks can be drawn by having a
different number of teeth, or by the pen tip(s) of the pen part having a
different layout, even when all other compositions are the same. The
patterns can further be changed by using three or more pen tips or a
different combination of meshing gears.
The foregoing detailed description has been provided for clearness of
understanding the embodiments of the invention depicted in the drawings
and should not be considered as unduly limiting the scope of the claims
herein.
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